Ciphering machine



Jan. 23, 1923.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1 R. D. PARKER. CIPHERING MACHINE,

FILED MAY 26.

INVENTOR A; farker Jan. 23, 1923.

R. D. PARKER. CIF'HERING MACHINE. F1 LED MAY 26 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTOR fl. afar/k1" s ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 23,1923.

PTT OFFICE.

RALZEIVIOND D. PARKER, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN TELE- PHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

OIPHERING MACHINE.

Application filed May 26, 1920. Serial No. 384,329.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RALzEMoNn D. PARKER, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Ciphering Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to arrangements for enciphering and deciphering code messages and more particularly relates to arrangements for enabling oneto operate a device of this character without a knowledge of the code utilized.

A former method of enciphering code messages, such as telegraph messages in which the characters are represented by different code combinations, has been to combine the code combinations of the original message with code combinations of one or more key tapes, and to give a visual indication in code formation of the effect produced by such combination. One of the arrangements for accomplishing such a result consists of a plurality of signaling devices, the circuits for controlling which are completed over the contacts of one or more tape transmitters and a set of manually operable keys. The operator would set up on the keysa code combination representing a character of the original message and the signaling devices, due to the combined operation of the keys and tape transmitters, would indicate the code combination of the enciphered message. It would then be nec essary to write down the code combinations thus indicated by the signaling devices to record the enciphered message, which might then be transmitted by any desired means. ith the above arrangements it would be essential for the operator to have a knowledge of and to memorize the code utilized both in order to set up the original message on the keys and to write down the enciphered code combinations. It is one of the purposes of this invention to provide arrangei'nents tor obviating these last mentioned operations and by accomplishing such arrangements mechanically enable one to operate the device without a knowledge oi the code utilized and without possibility of translation errors. Other purposes and features of the invention will appear more fully from the detailed description herein: after given.

The device of this invention utilizes the principles heretofore mentioned in that the code combinations representing characters of the original message are combined in effect with the code combinations of one or more key tapes to produce the en'ciphered message. The characters of the original messages may be set up in code formation 011 the device by the operation of a plurality of keys, each key representing a letter of the alphabet. These keys are associated with a well known form of sliding bar mechanism similar to that on a perforating ma chine or a keyboard transmitter and this sliding bar mechanism will set up on a series of contacts the code combination representing the character of the original message. This code combination will then be combined in effect with the code combinations of one or more key tapes and will set up an enciphered code combination on a plurality of magnets. These selecting magnets may in turn control any well known form of selecting mechanism to operate a type wheel to indicate the character represented by the enciphered code combination set up on the magnets. Furthermore a tape and suitable inking mechanism may be associated with the type wheel, if desired, in order to print the characters of the enciphered message directly.

The invention may be more fully understood from reference to the accompanying drawing in the Figs. 1, 2, 8, 4c, 5, 6 and 7 of whic1 are illustrated arrangements embodying the invention. In Fig. 1 is shown the circuit arrangement whereby the code combinations of the original message are combined in effect with the code combinations of two key tapes to set up on a plurality of selecting magnets the code combination of the euciphered message. In Fig. 2 is shown a side elevation of the selecting mechanism, which is controlled by the selecting magnets of Fig. 1, and which in turn controls the type wheel. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of Fig. 2. In Fig. 4 is shown a detailed perspective view of the spring mechanism utilized to rotate the type wheel shaft. Fig. 5 is an end View of the spring mechanism of Fig. l. Fig. (i is an enlarged. View of switching arrangements whichv willv be ('lescrib ed later. In Fig. 7 is illustrated. a printing magnet tape and inking mechanism which may be associated with the typev wheel when it desired to record the encipheredmessage directly in printed form.

In the circuit arrangement illustrated in. Fig. 1 there is provided a plurality of keys. o1'switcl1es K K K K and- K upon which the code combinations representingcharacters of the original message will beup. As has. been pointed out these: switches are arranged to be operated by a. sliding bar mechanism similar to that on av standard perforator. or keyboard transmit-- ter, whichmechanism in turn includes a phi-- rality. of-keys representing letters of the alphabet. This arrangement has notbeen shownas it is well known in the art. An illustration of 'keyboard control of contacts: may be found in Fig.1. of United Statesv Patent No. 1.320.908, to R". D. Parker. Ac-- cordingly when a key of the keyboard trans-- mitter is operated to represent a character oft-he original message. the code combina-- tion representing such character will be set up on the switches li -K There is also provided in the circuit arrangement the tapetransmitter including the. contacts A A A. A and A and the tape transmitter 3 including the contacts 13.. B B B andv B For purposes of simplifying the circuit. the contacts of the tape transmitters are shown as insulated from each other rather than associatedwith the usual busbars. The contacts of the tape transmitters are con-- trolled in a well-known manner by perforated key tapes. the perforations of which. represent a set of arbitrarily chosen code combinations. There is furthermore provided a. plurality of selecting magnets 1, 2. 3, 4t and 5. The operating circuits of these magnets arecontrolled over the contacts of the tape trans mittcrs A and B and the keys l -l in such a manner that the code combination set up on keys l -K,, will be combined in effect with the code combinations of the two enciphered tapes in transmitters A. and B and will be set up as a different and enciphered code combination on the magnets l,

3, 1 and The operation of this circuit arrangement is substantially similar to the arrangement illustrated and. described in the U; SfP-atent No. 1.320.908. issued to R. D. Parker. Locking windings a re provided for each of the selecting magnets and are completed over a common circuit and a contact of switch '7. The selecting magnets 1, 2. 3, -t and 5 control: a set of. discselectors. such as 10. in a manner more fully pointed out in the United States Patent No. 1,232,045. to C. L. and H. L. Krum. Switch 7 is controlled by the operation of selecting mechanism, as will be pointed vout later and serves to operate the stepping magnets M and M which step the perforated key tapes ahead after each operation of the device. Battery for the operating circuits of the selecting magnets is provided over the contact of switch (3. Switch 6 is controlled by a uni Yersal bar associated with the keyboard transmitter heretofore referred to and is operated whenever any of the keys thereon are depressed. This switch is adjusted so that it will not operate until after the keyboard selecting mechanism shall have completed its operation.

The selecting mechanism is illustrated in Fig. 2 and controls the operation of the type-wheel 33. The type-wheel is mounted on a shaft 17. Associated with the frame 19 are the. supporting members 16 and 18. The selecting mechanism comprises essent ally a. plurality of selector discs 10 and a drum 15 containing a plurality ofstop pins, .such as 11, 12, 1.3. and 1st. Each of the selector discs is controlled by one of the selecting: magnets 1.. Q. 3, 4L and 5 of Fig. l and may be rotated slightly by the magnet. The selector discs have holes in theni arranged so that for each combination of discs operated the holes will be lined up so that one of the stop pins may pass through all. of the discs. Five selector discs have been illustrated and in practice the drum might contain thirty-two stop pins. \Vhile a selecting device of this arrangenn-a'it is well-known in the art, it is pointed out that any other well-known selecting mechaiusm might equally well: be utilized in this invention. After the enciphered code combination representing a character of the original message has been set up on the selector magnets 1 2, 3, at, 5 and the selector discs 10 have been operated tl ierebv.v the operator will depress an operating handle attached to the shaft 24L. This will move a crank 25 attached theretoto the right and it will press against the drum and move it to the right. This will cause the selecting pins to be pressed against the selector discs and one of the pins will pas through the set of holes therein which are in alignn'lent. Attached to a hollow shaft or sleeve 23. which is keyed to the type-whrcl shaft so that it may slide along said shaft. is a striking arm 520. hen the drum is moved to the riaht far enough. so that one of the stop pins has been pro'acted through the discs. the drum will i press slightly against the sleeve 2 which projects through the selector discs. as shown, so as to be capable of contact with the drum. The sleeve 23 and the striking arm 20 are accordingly moved to tho rio'lit so that the striking arm will clear the stop 21. VJhen this occurs the type-wheel shaft will rotate until the striking arm is stopped. by the. projecting stop pin. This will cause the type-Wheel itself to rotate until it has placed the letter or character thereon which represents the enciphered code combination, either opposite some stationary marker so that it may be read or into a position to be printed. The stationary marker has not been illustrated, but it may be in the form of a window or slot cut in a case surrounding the type-wheel, if desired. The spring 72 is provided for restoring the sleeve 23 and striking arm20 to its original position after the pressure of the drum against sleeve 23 has been removed.

If it is desired to print the characters directly from the typewheel the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 7 is provided. This mechanism includes a printing magnet 36, the

'o cratin windin of which is connected by conductor to an insulated spring 34 to'the type-wheel shaft and the circuit is then completed through the striking arm 20 and the projecting stop pin which is grounded to the frame of the device. An insulating bushing 22 is provided to enable the circuit to be completed in this manner. Accordingly when the type-wheel is revolved and stopped at its'desircd position by the striking arm coming in contact with the projecting stop pin, this action will close a circuit for the printing magnet 36. The printing magnet 36 controls an angular shaped member 37 pivoted at point 38. Associated therewith is a tape 40 which is held on the rollers 39, 41, 42 and 46. The operation of member 37 by the printing magnet will raise the roller 39 and cause the tape to come into contact with the typewheel 33 and the character thereon will be printed on the tape. Inlring rollers 47 are associated with the type-wheel 33. hlounted on roller41 is theratchet mechanism 43 which is controlled by the pawls 44 and 45. Pawl 44 is operated by the member 37 when it is returned to normal by the spring 48 when the printing magnet is released. This action causes roller 41 to revolve and move to tape 40 along in preparation for the printing of the succeeding character of the message. e

The typo-wheel shaft is driven by a spring mechanism which is illustrated more fully in 3. 4 and together with Similar reference characters have been used to denote like parts jin all of the figures. The spring mechanism is wound during the downward movement oil the operating handle. heretofore referred to. which is illustrated in Fig. as attached to shaft 24-. This operating handle moves tlirough an angle of about 30 degrees and rotates war 29 by means of the sector 26. Gear 29 is iree to rotate on shaft whi h is supported by the member -1 t-ta :h.ed togear 29 is a pawl which engages a ratchet wheel 50 which is attached to a sleeve 51. free to rotate 1 s a t- 27. This sleeve 51. is attached to the inner end of a clock spring the outer end of which is attached to a case 30 by means oil a. pin 52. lligidly attached to member 23 is a second pawl T3, which also engages the ratchet mechanism 50. Case is rigidly attached to shaft 27. This clock spring drivcs the type-wheel shaft by means of the beveled gears 31 and 32. During the first part of the downward movement of the handle 56 the striking arm 20 is held against the stop 21 as has been. pointed out, and the type wheel shaft 17 cannot rotate. Accord ingly, the bevelled gears 32 and 31 will be held in position and as the casing 30 is rigidly ailixed to the same shaft 27 as the gear 31 the casing 30 will also be held stationary. Then the rotation of gear 50. will wind up the clock spring. When the handle 56 has reached the bottom of its downward movement the striking arm 20 is released, as

previously described. As has. been pointed out. the pawl 73 is rigidly attached to member 28 and itwill hold the gear 50 in place at this point. Accordingly, the clock spring will cause the casing 30 to rotate. This in turn, through the shaft 27 and bevelled gears 31 and 32, will cause the type wheel shaft 17 to rotate. It is noted that the handle 56 should he held depressed until the selecting mechanism has stopped operating, due to the striking arm 20 coming in contact with one of the stop bars. The gearing of the mechanism is arranged so that each time the operating handle is depressed the clock spring will be wound suiliciently to rotate the typewheel shaft one complete revolution. In the detailed illustration of the above mechanism given in Figs. 4 and 5, F 4 is a sectional view along the line 53, 54 of Fig. 5, in which is shown an end view of the mechanism.

In Fig. 3 there is shown mounted on shaft 24 an arrangement for controlling the switch 7 of Fig. 1. This arrangement consists ol a lever and pawl (30, a ratchet mechanism (31, and a cam. 62. an enlarged view oi? this arrangement being shown in Fig. 6. When the operating handle 56 is released the lever and pawl 60 which are attached thereto will cause the ratchet mechanism (31 and the cam wheel 62 to be rotated. The rotation of the cam mechanism will cause the switch 7 to open its right'hand contact and temporarily close its left hand contact. lle'i' erriiro' now to Fig. 1. it will be seen that this operation XYIll cause the locking circuits oi the selecting magnets, l. 2. 3, 4 and 5 to he opened and the nmgnets released, thereby allowing the selecting magnets and selector discs to be restored to normal ready tor the the next code combinatirm of the messagc/ hen the left hand contact of switch '7 is closed circuit is completed r'or the stepping mag);- nets M and M which will operate to step the key tapes in the transmitters A. and B ahead so to present anew code combination to be combined with the succeeding code combination of the original message. Flll'tllQlll'lOl'G, when the operating handle is releaseijl the drum and handle will be returned to their original position by the springs and 71. The striking arm 20 will then be released and the type-shaft will rotate until the striking arm hits the stop 21. Stops may also be provided for limiting the movement otthe operating handle.

From the above description of the arrangements ot the invention it will be seen that to encipher a'message the operator will merely have to depress a key representing a character of the message. This character will then be automatically set up as a code combination on the switches K,K This code combination will then be combined in effect 'ith the code combinations of. two key tapes and an enciphcred code combination will be set up on the selecting magnets l5. The operating handle will then be depressed and the selectingmechanism, which is under the control of the selecting magnets, will operate the type-wheel to produce the character representing the enciphered code combination, which character may be copied down or printed as desired.

To decipher a message, it is pointed out that the characters of the enciphered message should be set up on the keys and key tapes utilized which are. identical with those utilized to enc-ipher the message. Under such conditions the type-wheel will render the original message.

While the arrangements have been illus trated as adapted for use with a five unit code, it is pointed out that by eliminating one of the switches such as K and one of magnets, such as 0, that they might be utilized with a four-unit code, or other codes. Furthermore while certain selecting mechanisms have been illustrated, the arrangement is operative with other well known types of selecting mechanisms. Accordingly while the invention has been disclosed as embodied in certain specific arrangements, which are deemed advisable, it is pointed out that they are capable of embodiment in many and widely varied forms without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

hat is claimed is:

1. in a ciphering device in which a code for giving a character indication of the on ciphered code combination set up on said selecting members.

2. In a oiphering device in which a code combination of the original message is combined in effect with a code combination of a key tape and the result produced as an enciphered code combination set up on a plurality of selecting members, selecting mechanism controlled by said selecting members, a manually actuated operating member for directly actuating said selecting mechanism, a type-wheel controlled by the actuation of said selecting mechanismfor giving a character indication of the enciphered code. combination set up on said selecting members, spring mechanism for operating said typewheel, and means controlled by said operating member for winding said spring mechanism.

3. In a ciphering device in which. a code combination of the original message is combined in effect with a. code combination of a key tape and the result produced as an enciphered code combination set up on a plurality jof selecting members, selecting mechanism and a typeewheel controlled thereby, a manually actuated operating member for directly actuating said selecting mechanism, said selecting mechanism being so controlled by said selecting members and said operating member that said type-wheel will give a character indication of the enciphered code combination set up on said selecting members, and a recording; device associated with said type-wheel and selecting mechanism for recording in printed form the character indicated; by said type-wheel when operated.

4:. In a ciphering device,a circuit arrangement whereby a code combination of the original; message is combined in effect with a code combination of a key tape and the result produced as an enciphered code co nbination set up on a plurality of selecting members, selecting mechanism controlled, by said selecting members, a manually actuated operating member for actuating said selecting mechanism, a type-wheel controlled by the actuating of said selecting mechanism for giving a character indication of the enciphered code combination set up on said selecting members, spring mechanism for operating said type-wheel, means controlled by said operating member for winding said spring mechanism, means controlled by the releasing of said operating member for restoring said circuit arrangement to normal. and means controlled by the releasing-of said operating member for changing the code combination of said. key tape.

In testimony whereof. I have signed my name to this specification this 24th day of May, 1920.

RALZIQMQND. D PARKER- 

